Reps. Call for Repeal of “Damaging,” “Job-Killing,” “Innovation-Stifling” Medical Device Tax at House Ways & Means Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the House Ways & Means Committee held a hearing during which members of Congress called attention to a number of crucial policy issues, including repeal of the medical device excise tax.

“We want to thank Committee members Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) and Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) and Rep. Dean Philips (D-Minn.) for their commitment to repeal this burdensome tax,” said Scott Whitaker, president and CEO of the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed). “Without action, by the end of the year the industry will face a massive tax increase which will throw an anchor around the neck of an industry that is doing so much to improve patient care and grow the U.S. economy.”

“Legislation to repeal this onerous tax has strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate as well as with the Administration. There is no reason for Congress to delay further action to get rid of this anti-patient, anti-innovation tax once and for all,” continued Whitaker.

Quotes from members of Congress from today’s hearing in support of repeal:

• Rep. Jackie Walorski: “In order to continue to build on the economic growth unleashed by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, we must continue to strive to foster a system that’s fair, creates jobs, and provides certainty for tax payers. The committee should focus on the following critical initiatives which do just that: […] HR 2207, The Protect Medical Innovation Act, which I helped introduce with Mr. Kind. This bill would repeal the job-killing medical device tax from Obamacare.” 

• Rep. Devin Nunes: “And I hope we can cooperate to extend relief from damaging current health taxes like those on innovative medical devices.” 
   
• Rep. Dean Philips: “There is another innovation-stifling tax looming for businesses across the country and the over 60 medical device manufacturers in my community: the medical device tax. It is time to pass the Protect Medical Innovation Act, which would repeal this tax, and I thank Representative Kind for reintroducing this legislation that is so vital to innovation in our region and throughout the country.”